Former Derbyshire all-rounder Anuj Dal describes how he is managing his unexpected transition having retired from cricket this year, in an exclusive interview with the PCA to launch Futures Month.
Few would have believed earlier this year in the brisk chill of April that, come August, Ben Stokes would become the penultimate wicket of Anuj Dal’s career at the Our Coop County Ground.
Even as the former England captain moved early through his shot and flicked a leading edge safely back into Dal’s hands, the Derbyshire all-rounder did not know his playing career would be drawing to a close by the end of the season.
In just four months, cricket has abruptly launched both players in unexpected directions. For Stokes, having suddenly retired from the international game, more Durham action and franchise cricket in Australia awaits. For Dal, his transition has demanded moving into an entirely new professional field.
“I think if you’d asked me in April whether I thought I’d be retiring this year, I probably would have said no”, the 30-year-old said.
“Cricket is your comfort, cricket is your life, and the routine of it is something that you live and breathe every day.
“Deep down, I probably wanted to play for another year or two.”
Dal has faced contract uncertainty before. Aged 25, unsure as to whether his career would continue or not, he faced the unknown and was forced to consider a profession beyond playing cricket.
Ultimately, the all-rounder was offered a contract and, five years on, he now finishes his impressive career with 3,748 runs and 128 wickets across formats. However, that episode of traumatic doubt was enough to push Dal to begin planning for the future.
“I was so grateful that that happened because, off the back of that, I kind of knew the direction of travel I wanted to go in, what my next job might look like and I began looking at meaningful steps to ensure that I never got into that situation of uncertainty ever again.”
With no contract renewal coming for him beyond 2026, this time, the former Derbyshire man is prepared for a life beyond cricket.
Seeking help from the PCA after that unsure period five years ago, he was introduced to a wealth management company by his Personal Development Manager (PDM).
“I attended an open evening and met someone at the company who was actually a former professional cricketer as well. He had been forced into retirement due to back issues and injury.
“It was really nice to hear someone that had lived and breathed what I was doing and he gave me some really meaningful and proactive next steps.”
Since then, the PCA Vice Chair has prepared for a career in wealth management alongside cricket. Studying with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), he has completed a Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and is now working towards a Level 6 Diploma, which will earn him chartered status in the industry.
The benefits of Dal’s forward planning to his transition are plain to see. He went into the uncertainty of his contract negotiations this year armed with a plan for all eventualities.
Having worked with Ryley Wealth Management on a part-time basis, he is certain it has positively impacted his life more broadly.
“Playing cricket, thinking about contracts – it took all of that pressure away and ultimately allowed me to just enjoy doing what I do, being out on the field, contributing and performing well.
“I felt refreshed whenever I was coming back into cricket. You can imagine what the grind of an indoor school can do to you in English winters – it’s dark, rainy, overcast and it can be quite depressing. I was the one coming back adding energy when I came back in February, March time, which felt amazing.”
”“I think it's quite hard sometimes because you as a professional cricketer can get sucked into the bubble. It can sometimes be seen as a weakness that you're devoting time elsewhere rather than actually giving everything to cricket."
Anuj DalPCA Vice Chair
Dal will now join Ryley Wealth Management full-time, his playing career becoming an important chapter in a much broader journey.
“I’m looking forward now to a period of my life where I can control my own schedule, I can control my routines and have my life back to a certain degree. It’s nothing against what I’ve done, it just comes as part of the sacrifice you make to play elite sport.
“It has been the best 14 years of my life, and I look back with no regrets.
“I’m sure there’s going to be a few months where I wake up and go “wow” and look back with such fond memories, personal achievements, milestones, team successes, and things that I’ve had along the way.”
A positive outlook has been key to Dal’s success on and off the field, something fostered by his attention to life beyond cricket. Cricket, however, does not necessarily make it easy for players to think forward and prepare during their time in the game.
“I think it’s quite hard sometimes because you as a professional cricketer can get sucked into the bubble. It can sometimes be seen as a weakness that you’re devoting time elsewhere rather than actually giving everything to cricket.
“But actually, for me, it was the complete opposite. It gave me freedom. I wasn’t getting myself into a position where I was just hanging on, hoping and accepting an offer where I ultimately knew I wasn’t going to be happy.”
The 30-year-old’s interest in life outside of the game led him to a role as Vice Chair of the PCA.
“Sometimes it’s hard because you get sucked into being tunnel-focused on the cricket side.
“You become a little bit naive to what else there is for you on the outside. For me in particular, being involved with the PCA was something I really wanted to do.”
As Vice Chair, Dal has played a key role in the organisation’s ongoing support of professional cricketers in England and Wales. With his retirement, his five and a half years in the role will come to an end.
“I look back and think what an incredible opportunity it has been and of the amazing experiences that I’ve had: speaking in front of Parliament, the DCMS committee, helping James Harris go through all the COVID negotiations.
“Whether I’ll miss playing cricket, I don’t know. But being involved with the PCA, I hope to some degree I will still remain involved and see the organisation flourish and move forward in what are really exciting times for professional cricketers.
“Had it not been for the PCA, there’s no way I would have developed the skills to be able to do that and to also be moving forward in such a strong position.”
”“It's hard to recognize the amount of weight it can take off your shoulders when you are actively investing in yourself."
Anuj DalPCA Vice Chair
Ultimately for Dal, however, personal development and investing in the future is centred around well-being and happiness in life.
“It’s hard to recognize the amount of weight it can take off your shoulders when you are actively investing in yourself.
“I was in a really tough position where I was struggling mentally five or six years ago. I was in a position where I didn’t think I could continue playing cricket because of how it was affecting me emotionally.
“I was in a really dark place and I couldn’t see a way out, I couldn’t see a way forward. Through the PCA, through Sporting Chance, through the Cricketers’ Trust, I developed so many skills, had so much access to support and ultimately wanted to make sure I never got into that position ever again.
“I just want to urge every single player, whether you’re just starting as a rookie or whether you’re thinking about leaving the game, buying into Futures Month can only help you.
“You’ll start to notice how much you’ll benefit in performances, your positivity around life in general. It’s absolutely amazing the difference it can make.”
Futures Month encompasses the two flagship events with the PCA Futures Conference in association with GEDU and the PCA Futures Awards. Click here to find out more.
Learn more about the PCA Futures Awards and register your interest by clicking here.
